Livestock feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Livestock feeding apparatus including a carriage movable back and forth along a fixed track, a movable conveyor mounted on the carriage, fixed means for driving the carriage on said track, and a connection between the conveyor and the track whereby movement of the carriage on the track causes movement of the conveyor with respect to the carriage. The carriage is made up of a plurality of parts which can be easily and quickly assembled into sections, any number of which can be connected together to provide a carriage of the desired length. A tray or bottom surface in the carriage is constructed so that it can be snapped into place to facilitate easy assembly. Adjacent sections of the carriage are connected together by connector plates at least some of which have mounted thereon an arm which serves as an axle for the rollers by which the carriage is mounted on the track and also have a support member for a drive chain which extends from one end of the carriage to the other and is engaged by a movable drive sprocket. Also disclosed is a unique hanger bracket for connecting the track to supporting posts, either suspended from above or supported from below the tracks, the hanger bracket being such that the track can very quickly and securely be attached to the supporting posts and so that it can readily be adjusted if need be. Also disclosed is an alternative embodiment where the carriage is utilized as a fixed conveyor for feed or the like and wherein the conveyor on the carriage is driven directly by a motor but substantially the same components are used to assemble this embodiment as are used in the traveling carriage arrangement described above.

United States Patent Buschbom et al.

[54] LIVESTOCK FEEDING APPARATUS 72] Inventors: Floyd E. Buschbom, Long Lake; Glen D. Hansen, Maple Plain; Roger L. Johnson,

Wayzata, all of Minn.

"1 [73] Assignee: Van Dale Corporation, Long Lake, Minn.

[22] Filed: Feb. 3, 1970 21 1, Appl. No.: 8,199

Primary ExaminerEdward A. Sroka Al1orne vDonald R. Sjostrom and Robert P. White 1 51 July 11, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT Livestock feeding apparatus including a carriage movable back and forth along a fixed track, a movable conveyor mounted on the carriage, fixed means for driving the carriage on said track, and a connection between the conveyor and the track whereby movement of the carriage on the track causes movement of the conveyor with respect to the carriage. The carriage is made up of a plurality of parts which can be easily and quickly assembled into sections, any number of which can be connected together to provide a carriage of the desired length. A tray or bottom surface in the carriage is constructed so that it can be snapped into place to facilitate easy assembly. Adjacent sections of the carriage are connected together by connector plates at least some of which have mounted thereon an arm which serves as an axle for the rollers by which the carriage is mounted on the track and also have a support member for a drive chain which extends from one end of the carriage to the other and is engaged by a movable drive sprocket. Also disclosed is a unique hanger bracket for connecting the track to supporting posts, either suspended from above or supported from below the tracks, the hanger bracket being such that the track can very quickly and securely be attached to the supporting posts and so that it can readily be adjusted if need be. Also disclosed is an alternative embodiment where the carriage is utilized as a fixed conveyor for feed or the like and wherein the conveyor on the carriage is driven directly by a motor but substantially the same components are used to assemble this embodiment as are used in the traveling carriage arrangement described above.

23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures V F'A TENTEBJULH 1972 3,675,758

SHEET 2 OF 4 250 204 III;

. INVENTORS 5404 40 .5. 6050/80/14.

GAE/V D. AMA/55M B 06.52 1,. dam/501v ATTOE/UEV LIVESTOCK FEEDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Livestock feeding apparatus of the type having a moving carriage mounted on a fixed track and with a movable conveyor on the carriage, have been utilized in the past. One such feeder apparatus is disclosed in the Haen et al Pat. No. 3,428,027. The Haen et al disclosure had a drive motor mounted on and movable with the carriage as it moved along the track. Electrical power was supplied to the moving motor by means of a long electrical cable, long enough to allow the motor to move to its furthermost position from the point of connection to the source of power. The motor was drivingly connected to the conveyor which, in turn, was fixed with respect to the track and this driving of the conveyor caused the carriage to move back and forth along the track.

An improvement over the structure disclosed in the I-Iaen et al is contained in the co-pending application Ser. No. 8,355 of Floyd E. Buschbom and Roger L. Johnson wherein there is disclosed a feeder wherein a fixed drive motor drives the carriage back and forth along the track and the conveyor on the carriage is fixed at one point with respect to the track so that movement of the carriage causes relative movement between the conveyor and the carriage.

Generally a feeder of this type is disposed above an elongated feed bunk and as the carriage moves back and forth along the track, it deposits feed in the bunk. The feed is initially supplied to the carriage at a point approximately at the center of the track and the carriage itself is preferably just slightly longer than one-half the length of the track so that a portion of the carriage is always disposed underneath the feed supply point regardless of the position of the carriage on the track.

In a feeder apparatus of the type described above, it is desirable that common components be made available which can be assembled for use in any desired length of feeder installation. It has also been found most economical to assemble the feeder at the site where it is to be installed. It is therefore important that the number of components be kept to a minimum and the amount of labor involved in assembling the unit be as little as possible. Also, in many, if not most, installations astationary conveyor is required to bring the feed from a silo or the like to the point at which it is delivered onto the carriage. This conveyor may take any one of a number of forms but preferably should be matched to the feeder, at least in capaci- BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention provides a construction for a feeder of the type described above wherein the feeder is constructed of a relatively small numberof components so that it can be very easily and quickly assembled in the field as well as; being economical to manufacture. The feeder has a large capacity, can be assembled in a wide range of lengths and requires a relatively small power input. There is relatively little separation of the feed conveyed. Most of the same components utilized to construct the carriage of the movable feeder can also be used in constructing a fixed conveyor such as may be used to convey feed from a silo to the feeder.

Specifically, the feeder includes the carriage which is constructed of a plurality of sections each consisting of a pair of spaced side members and means connecting them together. A tray or bottom member fits between these side members and the side members are constructed so this tray simply snaps into place so that it can be very easily assembled but yet provides a rigid assembly when completed.

Adjacent sections are connected by plate members at least some of which have attached thereto axles which carry the rollers by which the carriage is mounted on the track and also at least part of the connecting plates may also carry extending support members which act as supports under an elongated chain or the like which extends from one end of the carriage to the other and which is engaged by a fixed drive member to cause the carriage to move along the track. The track may be supported either by a suspended post or by posts which are supported from below. The tracks are'attached to these posts by a unique hanger clamp which requires only the tightening of one set screw in order to securely and quickly attach the track to the post but yet render it easily adjustable, either horizontally or vertically, if need be. Preferably the drive means for the carriage is mounted on a fixed support means substantially at the mid-point of the track, and the conveyor has a portion fixed to the same support means so that movement of the carriage causes relative movement between the carriage and conveyor and the forces on the support means are in opposite directions and at least partially counteracting.

The same side members and tray described above may also be utilized in order to construct a fixed conveyor. In this case an additional bottom member is preferably added to the structure beneath the endless conveyor member and a member such as a pulley or sprocket-is added so that the conveyor may be driven directly by a motor. In this case, the connector plates between adjacent sections of the device need not have the axles and chain support members although these connector plates are otherwise the same as the ones used in assembling the carriage.

An object of the invention is to provide a livestock feeding apparatus or the like of the type described above wherein a minimum number of components is utilized and wherein these components can be quickly and easily assembled in the field.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder apparatus which may be assembled with a plurality of similar sections connected together to provide a feeder of any desired length.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a feeder of the type described above, a structure wherein the means for connecting adjacent sections of the feeder also may include means for suspending the feeder from an overhead track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and yet rigid means for attaching the track for a feeder of the type described to the supporting posts and for rendering the track readily adjustable on the posts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder with a fixed drive means support carrying drive means for the carriate, and endless movable conveyor on the carriage, and means fixing a portion of the conveyor to the same support whereby forces exerted thereon by the carriage and the conveyor are in opposite directions and at least partially ofi setting.

Still anOther object of the invention is to provide a feeder structure as described wherein a substantial portion of the components may be utilized to construct a fixed conveyor of the type which may be used to convey the feed from a storage facility such as a silo to the moving feeder.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of the invention which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, partially schematic, view of a livestock feeder embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a drive stand and drive means which comprise a part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carriage which forms a part of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view disclosing a pair of adjacent pan members which form a part of the feeder.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the feeder taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken generally along line 9-9 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a bracket which forms a part of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the invention utilized in a stationary conveyor.

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken generally along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, there is disclosed somewhat schematically a livestock feeder or the like including a fixed track mounted above a feed bunk 21. Movably mounted on track 20 is a carriage 22 driven back and forth along the track by a drive means 23 located substantially midway along the length of the track. A stationary conveyor 24 is disposed above the carriage, substantially at the center of the track to conVey material to the carriage. As can better be seen in FIG. 2, track 20 comprises a pair of spaced parallel track members 20a and 20b each of which is an angle member with a generally L- shaped cross section. These track members are mounted on supporting posts 25 by mounting brackets 26 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Posts 25 are shown suspended from above but they may also extend upward from feed bunk 21 or from the ground.

Carriage 22 is disclosed in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9. As seen therein, it is mounted on track 20 by appropriate rollers or wheels 27 and is made up of a plurality of sections including a pair of identical, oppositely disposed, end sections 30 and 31 and a plurality of identical intermediate sections, three of which are disclosed in FIG. 3 and are identified by the numerals 32, 33, and 34. A cross sectional view of one of these sections can be seen in FIG. 7 and in perspective in FIG. 9. For purposes of illustration it will be assumed that the section shown in cross section therein is section 33 and its structure will be described accordingly. The structure includes a pair of identical side members reversely disposed with respect to each other. These members, identified by the numerals 33a and 33b, include flat vertical portions forming the main portion or sidewall of the carriage and with a slightly outwardly extended flange or upper portion at the top and an inwardly extending portion at the bottom. The inwardly extending portions at the bottom extend so as to close a portion of the underside of the carriage but leave open a longitudinally extending space at the center of the underside of the carriage. Side members 33a and 3312 are rigidly connected together by a plurality of connecting cross members 36 disposed in spaced locations along the section including one adjacent each end of the section. This can be seen especially in FIG. 9 where two sections, section 33 and section 34, are shown. The manner in which cross pieces 36 are attached to the side member, and their form, can be seen in FIG. 4 which is a fragmentary view. As seen there, the cross member 36 has a flange 36a at each end thereof and bolts 37 extend through this flange and through the wall 33 to secure the cross members to the side members. At the top, each of these side members has a small notch 36!; removed adjacent each edge to receive the flange on pan member as will be described hereinafter.

End members 30 and 31 are generally similar in cross section to the intermediate members described except that they have a connecting end portion 30a and 310, respectively, which may be formed as an integral part of the side walls or may be attached thereto by appropriate means. However, the cross sectional shape of the end members is identical to that of the intermediate members. Adjacent ones of the intermediate and end members are connected together by means of connecting brackets 40 which are shaped similar to the shape of the side walls of the members themselves. They have a flat vertical portion adapted to lie along the flat vertical portion of the members and then an outwardly extending portion which lies along the flared portion of the members. At the top of the sides of the end and intermediate members, they have a rolled over flange or rim and the upper end of the connecting bracket lies underneath this flange or rim. The connecting brackets 40 are wide enough so that they overlap the two adjacent carriage sections and are provided with a plurality of holes which align with a like plurality of holes adjacent the ends of each of the sections. Preferably at least some of said holes are swedged to assure perfect alignment of one section with another. A plurality of bolts four or a like extend through these holes and are adapted to connect the sections of the carriage together by meanS of connecting brackets 40. Connecting brackets 40 also have mounted thereon members 42 which extend upwardly and then outwardly to form an axle .for wheels or rollers 27. As best seen in FIG. 7, members 42 have a horizontal portion 42a which actually acts as the axle and this extends outwardly slightly below the flange at the top of the side member 33a and 33b. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a washer 43 is preferably disposed on axle portion 42a before roller 27 is placed thereon. It will be appreciated that these axles may be included at each connecting point between adjacent sections or they may be only located at some of them, depending primarily on the length of the sections of the conveyor.

In the preferred form of the device which is described herein, a drive chain is utilized to move the carriage back and forth along the track and here brackets 40 also carries an outwardly extending chain support member 44. Since the drive chain is utilized only on one side of the carriage (the left side as seen in FIG. 7), these support brackets 44 may be included only on that side as they are in the illustration shown in FIG. 7. However, if desired, they may be included on all of the brackets so that only one type of bracket need be utilized. Thus, a single member, namely the connecting member 40 is utilized for connecting adjacent sections of the carriage, to provide an axle for the rollers, and, when needed, to provide a support means for the drive chain as will be described hereinafter.

A bottom or floor in the carriage, on which material can be moved, is provided by a pan 50 which extends between the side walls and immediately above cross members 36. Pan 50 is also made up of a plurality of sections which may be, but need not.be, of the same length as the sections which make up the side walls of the carriage. Each of these sections is substantially the same width as the distance between the vertical portions of the side walls and each has a downwardly extending flange 51a on each side thereof. These flanges extend down into the notches 36b in cross members 36 and the main horizontal portion of the pans 50 may rest directly on the upper surface of cross members 36 if desired. Preferably side members 330 and 33b are formed so that the sections of pan 50 can be simply snapped into place. This can be accomplished by forming on the vertical portion of the side members means to mate with the flanges 51a on pan sections 50 as shown in enlarged fragmentary cross section in FIG. 6. As shown there, a portion or tab 330 is struck inwardly and then extends upward generally parallel to the wall of member 33a at a position just below the bottom of flange 510 on the pan when the pan is in its desired position. lrnmediately above the top surface of pan 50 there is formed on the vertical wall of side member 33a an inwardly struck dimple or abutment 33d. It will be appreciated that as pan 50 is forced into place it will be deflected, as will side member 330, so that flange 510 can pass past abutment or dimple 33d and down into the space behind tab 330. As it moves past dimple 33d, it actually snaps into place with the dimple disposed above the upper surface of pan 50 at its edge so that the pan is held firmly in place and cannot be easily removed.

A plurality of these dimples and tabs are provided on each of the sections of the carriage so that the sections of the pan can simply be snapped into place making assembly very quick and yet providing a rigid structure after the assembly is completed.

The pan members abut each other at their ends and in order to rigidize the joints between adjacent ones and to assure that they will be aligned and relatively smooth at these joints, a plurality of finger members 51b are provided at one end of each pan section and a mating plurality of fingers are provided at the opposite end of each pan section so that the fingers on abutting ends of adjacent pan sections interweave to provide a substantially continuous support surface immediately beneath the abutting ends.

Adjacent each end of carriage 22 there is journalled an aide, the axle at the left-hand end as seen in the various figures being designated by the numeral 60 and the one at the righthand end by the numeral 61. These axles are mounted in journal carrying plates 62 and 63, respectively, there actually being a pair of plates, one on each side of the carriage, at each end. These plates are mounted on the outside of the side members by appropriate means such as bolts 65 which extend through slotted openings 66 in the journal plates to allow longitudinal adjustment of the plates with respect to the side members of the carriage. The side members themselves are provided with elongated openings through which the axles extend. At each end of the carriage there is a transversely extending L-shaped angle member of cross-bracket which is substantially wider than the width of the carriage itself. An angle member 67 is located at the left-hand end of the carriage and a similar member 68 at the right-hand end thereof. These members are secured directly to the outside end surfaces of the carriage by appropriate means (not shown) and each is provided with a hole just outside of the width of the conveyor. Journal carrying plates 62 each has a longitudinally extending threaded member 70 extending through the two holes in cross member 67. A nut 71 is threaded onto each of these members and by adjustment of these nuts on their threaded members the position of the journal carrying plates on the carriage can be adjusted. Similarly threaded members 72 extend from general carrying plates 63 and through cross member 68 so that plates 63 can also be positioned in a similar manner. It will be appreciated that plate 62, for example, will be positioned with bolt 65 loOsened and that these bolts will be tightened only after nuts 71 have been turned to their desired position on threaded members 70.

Axles 60 and 61 are disposed somewhat below the surface of pan members 50 on the carriage. Axle 60 has mounted thereon a sprocket 73 which is of sufficient diameter so that the base of its teeth is approximately in alignment with the surface of pans 50. Axle 61 is provided with a similar sprocket 74 and is similarly located with respect to the pans. The end one of the pans 50, adjacent axle 60 is provided with a rounded portion 75 which extends down around the axle with a center cutaway portion through which sprocket 73 extends. Similarly, the other end of the carriage includes a similarly rounded portion 76 of the end pan section which extends around axle 61 and has a cutaway central portion through which the teeth of sprocket 74 extend. An endless chain 77 extends over sprocket 73 and 74 with its upper expanse lying substantially on the top surface of pans 50 and with its lower expanse being spaced below the pans. At spaced intervals on chain 77 there are transversely extending flights 80 which have a width approximately equal to the distance between the vertical portion of the side members and which extend upwardly a sufficient distance so as to carry material with them as they move along the top surface of pans 50.

Drive means 23 for the carriage can perhaps be best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8. As seen therein, the drive means actually includes a drive stand including an upstanding post 81 on which is mounted a base or platform 82 displaced to one side of the carriage. A pair of spaced members 83 extend upward from platform 82 and are bolted to track 200. A member 84 extends from platform 82, underneath carriage 22, and is connected to another pair of upwardly extending members 85 on the opposite of the carriage and which in turn are bolted to track member 20b. Thus, the drive stand is firmly fixed with respect to the track and it is preferably located substantially at the center of the longitudinal length of the track as can best be seen in FIG. 1. Mounted upon platform 82 is a power means such as an electric motor 86 drivingly connected to a gear box 87 which may have an output pulley 90 connected to the motor by a belt 91 and an output sprocket 92 mounted on an axle 93 which is parallel to axles 60 and 61 and is disposed alongside of, and slightly spaced from the side of carriage 22. As can be seen in FIG. 7, this sprocket is located slightly above support brackets 44 which are carried by connector plates 40. As best seen in FIG. 8, sprocket 92 is flanked on either side by idler sprockets 94 and 95 which are mounted on members 83.

Suspended between the extending ends of cross brackets 67 and 68, and spaced outwardly from the vertical side portions of the carriage, is a drive chain 96 which has a plurality of links cooperable with sprocket 92 and adjacent one end has a threaded member 97 which extends through an opening in cross bracket 67 and is adjustably secured thereto by an appropriate nut. At the opposite end there is provided a similar threaded member 100 which extends through a similar opening in cross bracket 68 and also is adjustably secured thereto by an appropriate nut. The tension in chain 96 can be adjusted by threading the nuts back and forth on threaded members 97 and 100. The distance between the ends of the carriage may be relatively long. For example, it may be in the area of 100 feet if a ZOO-foot feed bunk is used. Thus, there will naturally be a substantial amount of sag in chain 96 and this is the reason for the inclusion of the support brackets 44. As indicated, they are spaced along the side of the carriage and chain 96 simply lays along the top side of the brackets. Thus, while the chain iS actually connected to the carriage only at the opposite ends thereof, it is supported in a plurality of positions between these ends so that it normally will not hang down below the carriage to a position where it might become entangled with something or where livestock might have ready access to it. Chain 96 extends under idler 94 and idler 95 and over the top of sprocket 92 and is driven thereby. The driving of chain 96 by sprocket 92 will cause carriage 22 to move along track 20. As indicated, the power to drive the carriage is preferably provided by an electric motor 86. it is necessary that the carriage drive means be reversible because it must be driven first to one end and then to the other end of the track. Obviously, this could be provided by some kind of mechanical reversing mechanism but in a simple form, motor 86 is a reversible electric motor. A control switch 101 for the motor is mounted on a bracket 102 which in turn is mounted on upstanding members 83 which, it will be recalled, are connected to rail member 20a. Switch 101 has an actuating member 103 which is disposed substantially along the upper edge of carriage 22 and is positioned for engagement by a pair of tabs 104 and 105 mounted upon the upper edge of carriage 22 adjacent opposite ends thereof. Actuaging member 103 is swingable from side to side to perform a switching function and it will be appreciated that as the carriage moves towards one end position, the appropriate tab will engage actuator 103 causing the switch to be operated to reverse the motor. Thereupon the carriage will be driven toward the other end of the track until the other tab engages actuating member 103 and again reverses the motor.

There is no drive connection, as such, between the drive means 23 and the conveyor provided by sprockets 73 and 74 and chain 77 carried thereby. instead, member 84 which extends from platform 82 on which the motor and drive members are mounted, and extends beneath carriage 22, has an upstanding post member which extends inside one link of chain 77. An inverted U-shaped bracket 111 is placed over this one link and is secured to post 110 by appropriate means such as a bolt 112 extending through the legs of bracket 111 and through post 110. Thus, chain 77 is fixed with respect to the track at this one position. Now, as carriage 22 is moved along the track, it also moves relative to chain 77. Actually, the relative movement between conveyor chain 77 and the track will be at twice the speed of the movement of the carriage with respect to the track and in the same direction. Thus, as carriage 22 moves along the track, chain 77 moves with respect to the ground at twice the speed carriage 22 does and material will be conveyed by the conveyor with respect to the carriage so that in whichever direction the carriage is moving, the material will be conveyed and dropped off the front end of the carriage. Since the fixed portion of the chain is on the underexpanse thereof, the tension in the chain will be substantially the same regardless of which direction the carriage is moving. Since conveyor chain 77 is fixed to the same structure as the drive for the carriage, the forces thereon are in opposite directions as the carriage moves in either direction and are at least partially counteracting so that the stress on this structure is reduced. Chain 77 need not be particularly tight. While a double chain conveyor, with one chain along each side of the carriage and connected to the flights 80 on opposite ends thereof, could be used, it has been found that for most uses a single chain is adequate.

With the structure described, the drive means is fixed and therefore simple electrical connections to motor 86 can be utilized. As indicated, in the past many feeding apparatuses of this type utilized a motor which traveled along with the car riage and which actually drove the conveyor chain (chain 77 in the illustrated embodiment) and this in turn caused the carriage to be moved. This resulted in several disadvantages, probably the greatest of which is the necessity that a long electrical cord be provided and some means be provided for suspending it, hopefully out of the reach of the livestock which are to be fed by the feeder. In addition, substantial tension was required in the chain and tension on the chain would vary depending on the direction in which the carriage was being driven. Mention has been made of the ease of assembly of the present structure. This is due in large part to the fact that only a relatively small number of separate parts are required to build up the entire unit. As indicated, the side pieces or members of the carriage are identical, each of the pan members is identical, and the connecting brackets 40 are really multi-purpose in that they not only provide means for connecting adjacent sections of the carriage but they also provide the axle for rollers 27 and may additionally include the support brackets 44 for chain 96. It will be appreciated that any length of carriage may be assembled by simply using more sections. The pans are very simply installed by snapping them in place after which they are relatively rigidly held in place to provide a strong structure.

One other feature which is particularly important in the installation of this feeder is the track mounting bracket 26. This bracket can probably best be seen in FIGS. 9 and 9A. As seen there, brAcket 26 includes a bight portion 260 which is of sufficient size to receive therein the end of a support post 25. A pair of extending legs 26b and 260 extend rearwardly where they are connected by an upstanding member 26d. Legs 26b and 26c are of a reduced height as compared to bight 26a. Also extending from bight portion 26a, toward member 26d, are a pair of flanges or extensions 26e and 26f spaced from and extending generally parallel to legs 26b and 26c, respectively. In between legs 26b and flange 26f is a space 26g and a similar space (26h) exists between leg 26c and flange 26f. A set screw 26] is threaded into member 26d.

As can probably best be seen in FIG. 9A, bracket 26 is slipped over post 25 and then the angle-shaped rail member 20a is disposed in the bracket with the horizontal leg of the rail disposed along the upper face of legs 26b and 260 and with the vertical leg disposed along the upstanding portion 26b of the bracket. The horizontal leg thus extends between legs 26b and 26c and flanges 26e and 26f of the bracket in spaces 26g and 26h. These spaces between the legs and flanges extend toward the bight portion sufiiciently so that the horizontal leg of the track member will engage post 25. Now set screw 26] is tightened against the vertical leg of the rail driving the horizontal leg into engagement with post 25. When the set screw is thus tightened, the rail is very rigidly secured to the post and yet an adjustment, either horizontal or vertical, can easily be made by simply reversing the set screw. This simple arrangement greatly simplifies installation of the track and ad justment thereof and saves a great deal of installation time.

In order to convey material from a storage facility such as a silo to carriage 22, a fixed conveyor such as conveyor 24 must be utilized. There are also many other uses for fixed conveyors in connection with the handling of feed and the like. Another important feature of this invention is that a fixed conveyor such as conveyor 24 can relatively easily be constructed of substantially the same parts as are used for carriage 22. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 disclose some of the structural details of fixed conveyor 24. As seen there, conveyor 24 has a body which is made up of the same stock side and end sections as are utilized in carriage 22, the same snap-in pan sections to provide a bottom for the conveyor, generally the same axles and sprockets and the same chain and flights thereon, as are utilized in the carriage. For the sake of clarity these various parts have been given similar identifying numerals as those utilized in connection with the description of the carriage except that they are preceded by the numeral 2. For example, conveyor 24 is made up of a left-end section 230 and an adjacent intermediate section 232, followed by another intermediate section 233. End section 230 has an end or crosspiece 230a. Adjacent sections are connected by appropriate connector plates 240 which may be the same as connector plates 40 utilized in the carriage but it will be appreciated that they need not have the axles and the chain support brackets utilized on the carriage. The same snap-in trays 250 are utilized. An axle 260 and a sprocket 273 mounted thereon is utilized at one end and it will be appreciated that an axle 261 and sprocket 274 are located at the other end although they can not be seen in these figures. Extending over these sprockets is a chain 277 which has a plurality of flights 280 spaced therealong. Journal plates 262 are generally similar to those utilized in the carriage and are connected by threaded members 270 to a cross member 267 connected to the end of end section 230. In fixed conveyors of this type, it is generally desirable to enclose the underside of the trough or conveyor housing and therefore a cover member has been added. This cover may be secured to the underside by appropriate means such as a rotatable latch member 201 which engages the underside of the side members.

Axle 260 is somewhat longer than an axle used on a carriage so that a pulley 202 may be mounted on the end thereof and connected to an appropriate drive motor 203 by a drive means such as a belt 204. Motor 203 simply drives the conveyor chain 277 and moves material along the conveyor in a conventional manner.

Here again, the desired length of conveyor can be built by simply utilizing the appropriate number of sections. A relatively small number of parts is needed and they can be quickly and easily assembled. The trays simply snap into place, also increasing the eflicienty of the assembly. The interchangeability of parts can be especially beneficial in those instances where both a fixed conveyor And a movable carriage are being assembled for a single installation. Also, the interchangeability of parts may reduce the inventory of replacement parts which will be necessary. The relative simplicity of the structure and the relatively small number of different parts involved will also render economy in manufacture. With these advantages, the apparatus has large capacity and low power requirements.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the structure described ofiers many advantages over previous feeders of the same general type. A single embodiment of the feeder with movable carriage and of the fixed conveyor 24 have been disclosed herein by way of illustration. It will be appreciated that various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure herein. It is therefore to be understood that the description herein is by way of illustration only and that the invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or right is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for handling livestock feed or the like, comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, each section having a pair of spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extending side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means including a generally flat portion with longitudinal edges spaced a distance substantially equal to the space between said side members, said tray means having fastening surface means adjacent each of said longitudinal edges, said side members each including means for cooperating with said fastening surface means on said tray means to facilitate snapin attachment of said tray means to said side members whereby said tray means can be easily attached to said side members and are relatively securely and rigidly held in place after being so attached; connector members attached to adjacent portions of said plurality of longitudinal sections, means securing said connector members to said adjacent portions of said sections, at least some of said connector members having mounted thereon an axle, a pair of guide means joumaled at opposite ends of the apparatus, endless conveyor means extending between said guide means and with one expanse extending over the trays and one expanse extending thereunder, track means substantially longer than the composite length of the plurality of longitudinal sections, each of the axles on said connecting members having a wheel joumaled thereon, said wheels being mounted on said track means whereby said plurality of longitudinal sections is suspended from said track and compositely acts as a carriage movable along said track means, means fixing said conveyor means at one point thereon with respect to said track means, and driving means operable connected to said carriage and operable to drive said carriage back and forth along said track means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including bottom cover means secured to and extending between said side members in a position beneath said trays and with one expanse of said conveyor means extending between said trays and said bottom cover means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means connecting the side members includes a plurality of spacer members extending between said side members and disposed so that they lie immediately beneath the tray when said tray is snapped into position and provide support for said tray.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means is fixed with respect to said track means and includes a drive stand, means connecting said drive stand to said track means, a supporting post for said drive stand, and motive means mounted on said drive stand and adapted to be operably connected to said carriage means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the drive means includes reversing means having an operating member, and said carriage has means thereon cooperable with said operating member to operate said operating member to reverse said drive means upon said carriage means moving to predetermined positions on said track.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said drive means includes a reversible electric driving motor and said reversing means includes a reversing switch connected to said motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reversing means is mounted substantially at the midpoint of travel of said carriage, and the means on said carriage cooperable with said operating member includes members mounted adjacent each end of said carriage and disposed to engage said operating member as said carriage reaches either of the end limits of its travel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track means includes a pair of spaced, generally parallel, track members and said carriage has wheels extending on either side thereof which engage and roll along said track members.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening surface means comprises a longitudinal flange along each of said flat portion of said tray means, and the means for cooperating therewith includes a plurality of spaced finger means each partially severed from a side member and adapted to receive a flange between said finger means and the side member and to hold said flange tightly therebetween, and a plurality of abutment protrusions on said side members, near the free ends of said finger means and spaced from the base of said finger means a distance approximately equal to the width of said longitudinal flanges on said tray whereby said flanges must be forced past said abutment protrusions in order to be positioned between the finger means and the side members and are held in place by said abutment protrusions when they are snapped into place behind said finger means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said trays has a plurality of spaced finger members extending longitudinally therefrom on the underside thereof, abutting ends of adjacent ones of said trays having said finger members disposed in complimentary manner whereby the finger members on one extend between the finger members on the other so that they cooperate to better support and maintain in alignment the ends of adjacent trays.

l1. Feeder apparatus or the like of the type including carriage means adapted to be mounted on and movable along a track, the apparatus comprising carriage means made up of a plurality of longitudinal, generally trough-shaped, sections rigidly connected end to end, eachsection having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, and tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members overlapping and rigidly connected to adjacent ones of the troughshaped sections, and at least a part of said connector members each having rigidly mounted thereon an axle member for carrying a wheel engageable with and rollable along the track.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said connector members is connected to each side of the trough-shaped sections at the point where each two adjacent sections join, and said axle members extend on opposite sides of the carriage so that the wheels carried thereby are disposed for engagement with a pair of spaced track members.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 further including driving means fixed with rapect to said track and operably connected to the carriage means for driving said carriage means back and forth along the track.

14. Feeder apparatus or the like comprising: carriage means adapted to be mounted on and movable along a track, said carriage means made up of a plurality of longitudinal, generally trough-shaped sections rigidly connected end-toend, each section having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, and tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members overlapping and rigidly connected to adjacent ones of the trough-shaped sections, at least part of said connector members each having rigidly mounted thereon an axle member for carrying a wheel means engageable with and reliable along the track, drive means fixed with respect to said track and operably connected to the carriage means for driving said carriage means back and forth along the track, drive engaging means extending substantially from one end to the other of said carriage means and fixed to said carriage means only at the ends thereof, said drive means includes motive means and means driven thereby and cooperable with drive engaging means to drive said carriage back and forth along said track, and support means for said drive engaging means including meanS extending from at least a part of the connector members which connect adjacent ones of said trough-like members and extending under and releasably supporting said drive engaging means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said drive engaging means is a flexible member and extends along one side of said carriage member and said support means includes a laterally extending support member extending from at least some of the connector members on that side of the carriage.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the driven engaging means comprises a drive chain and the drive means includes a fixed reversible drive means including a motor driven sprocket disposed for engagement with the drive chain for driving said carriage back and forth along said track.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the drive means includes a fixed drive stand, means connecting said stand to the track, and a support post for said stand, said support stand extending to one side of the track and mounting a motive means drivingly connected to a sprocket disposedfor engagement with said drive chain.

18. A feeder apparatus or the like of the type comprising: carriage means adapted to bemounted on and movable along a fixed track, said carriage means having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel longitudinal extended side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, endless conveyor means mounted on the carriage means and movable thereon, said conveyor means extended between the ends of the tray means with one expanse of the conveyor means located over the tray means and the other expanse extended thereunder, power means fixed relative to said track for moving the carriage means back and forth on the track, fixed mounting means for the power means, means connecting the power means to the carriage means whereby operation of the power means applies a force to the carriage means to propel it along the track, and means fixedly connecting one portion of the endless conveyor means to said fixed mounting means whereby movement of the carriage means causes relative movement between the carriage means and conveyor means, the forces exerted on said fixed support means by the carriage means and by the conveyor means being in opposite directions and at least partially counteracting.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the conveyor comprises an endless flexible means movable about spaced roller means on the carriage, said fixed mounting means and the fixed portion of the conveyor means are disposed substantially at the longitudinal center of the track, and the carriage means moves back and forth on opposite sides of the fixed mounting means.

20. The apparatus of claiM 18, wherein the means connecting the power means to the carriage means includes a drive sprocket cooperable with a drive chain fixedly mounted on the carriage means and extending longitudinally thereof, the conveyor means comprises an endless means extending over spaced roller means mounted substantially at opposite ends of the carriage means, the carriage means moving within the endless conveyor means to cause relative movement therebetween, and the forces exerted on the fixed support means by the action between the drive sprocket and drive chain being in an opposite direction from the force exerted thereon by the fixed portion of the endless conveyor means.

21. Apparatus for handling livestock feed or the like comprising: a plurality of longitudinal sections, each section having a pair of spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members secured to adjacent portions of end-to-end side members to hold the longitudinal sections in general alignment, means attached to said connector members to rotatably mount the sections on a track, and endless conveyor means extended between the ends of the tray means with one expanse of the conveyor means located over the tray means and the other expanse extended thereunder, means fixing said conveyor to one point thereon with respect to said track means, and drive means operably connected to said carriage and operable to drive said carriage back and forth along said track means.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: said drive means is fixed with respect to said track means.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: the drive means includes fixed reversing means having an operating member and said carriage has means thereon cooperating with said operating member to operate said operating member to reverse the drive means upon carriage means moving to predetermined positions on said track means.

1 it IF i g;; g UNITE STATES PATENT FFICE CE'HMCAE Cl C@ ECTWN Patent No. 3 758 Dated July 11 1972 lnventofls) Floyd E. Buschbom et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 7

Column 2, lines 43-44, "carriate" should be .carriage.

Column 5, line 21, ."of" should be -or-.

Column 6, line 51, "Actuaging" should be Actuating.

Column 8, line 52,- "efficienty 'shouldvbe' -efficiency.

Column 9, line 68, after each" insert "edge".

Signed and sealed this 19th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F LETCHB.R,JR. ROBERT GGTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. Apparatus for handling livestock feed or the like, comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, each section having a pair of spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extending side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means including a generally flat portion with longitudinal edges spaced a distance substantially equal to the space between said side members, said tray means having fastening surface means adjacent each of said longitudinal edges, said side members each including means for cooperating with said fastening surface means on said tray means to facilitate snap-in attachment of said tray means to said side members whereby said tray means can be easily attached to said side members and are relatively securely and rigidly held in place after being so attached; connector members attached to adjacent portions of said plurality of longitudinal sections, means securing said connector members to said adjacent portions of said sections, at least some of said connector members having mounted thereon an axle, a pair of guide means journaled at opposite ends of the apparatus, endless conveyor means extending between said guide means and with one expanse extending over the trays and one expanse extending thereunder, track means substantially longer than the composite length of the plurality of longitudinal sections, each of the axles on said connecting members having a wheel journaled thereon, said wheels being mounted on said track means whereby said plurality of longitudinal sections is suspended from said track and compositely acts as a carriage movable along said track means, means fixing said conveyor means at one point thereon with respect to said track means, and driving means operable connected to said carriage and operable to drive said carriage back and forth along said track means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including bottom cover means secured to and extending between said side members in a position beneath said trays and with one expanse of said conveyor means extending between said trays and said bottom cover means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means connecting the side members includes a plurality of spacer members extending between said side members and disposed so that they lie immediately beneath the tray when said tray is snapped into position and provide support for said tray.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means is fixed with respect to said track means and includes a drive stand, means connecting said drive stand to said track means, a supporting post for said drive stand, and motive means mounted on said drive stand and adapted to be operably connected to said carriage means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the drive means includes reversing means having an operating member, and said carriage has means thereon cooperable with said operating member to operate said operating member to reverse said drive means upon said carriage means moving to predetermined positions on said track.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said drive means includes a reversible electric driving motor and said reversing means includes a reversing switch connected to said motor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reversing means is mounted substantially at the midpoint of travel of said carriage, and the means on said carriage cooperable with said operating member includes members mounted adjacent each end of said carriage and disposed to engage said operating member as said carriage reaches either of the end limits of its travel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track means includes a pair of spaced, gEnerally parallel, track members and said carriage has wheels extending on either side thereof which engage and roll along said track members.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastening surface means comprises a longitudinal flange along each of said flat portion of said tray means, and the means for cooperating therewith includes a plurality of spaced finger means each partially severed from a side member and adapted to receive a flange between said finger means and the side member and to hold said flange tightly therebetween, and a plurality of abutment protrusions on said side members, near the free ends of said finger means and spaced from the base of said finger means a distance approximately equal to the width of said longitudinal flanges on said tray whereby said flanges must be forced past said abutment protrusions in order to be positioned between the finger means and the side members and are held in place by said abutment protrusions when they are snapped into place behind said finger means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said trays has a plurality of spaced finger members extending longitudinally therefrom on the underside thereof, abutting ends of adjacent ones of said trays having said finger members disposed in complimentary manner whereby the finger members on one extend between the finger members on the other so that they cooperate to better support and maintain in alignment the ends of adjacent trays.
 11. Feeder apparatus or the like of the type including carriage means adapted to be mounted on and movable along a track, the apparatus comprising carriage means made up of a plurality of longitudinal, generally trough-shaped, sections rigidly connected end to end, each section having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, and tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members overlapping and rigidly connected to adjacent ones of the trough-shaped sections, and at least a part of said connector members each having rigidly mounted thereon an axle member for carrying a wheel engageable with and rollable along the track.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said connector members is connected to each side of the trough-shaped sections at the point where each two adjacent sections join, and said axle members extend on opposite sides of the carriage so that the wheels carried thereby are disposed for engagement with a pair of spaced track members.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 further including driving means fixed with respect to said track and operably connected to the carriage means for driving said carriage means back and forth along the track.
 14. Feeder apparatus or the like comprising: carriage means adapted to be mounted on and movable along a track, said carriage means made up of a plurality of longitudinal, generally trough-shaped sections rigidly connected end-to-end, each section having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, and tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members overlapping and rigidly connected to adjacent ones of the trough-shaped sections, at least part of said connector members each having rigidly mounted thereon an axle member for carrying a wheel means engageable with and rollable along the track, drive means fixed with respect to said track and operably connected to the carriage means for driving said carriage means back and forth along the track, drive engaging means extending substantially from one end to the other of said carriage means and fixed to said carriage means only at the ends thereof, said drive means includes motive means and means driven thereby and cooperable with drive engaging means to drive said carriage back and forth along said track, and support means for said drive engaging means including means extending from at least a part of the connector members which connect adjacent ones of said trough-like mEmbers and extending under and releasably supporting said drive engaging means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said drive engaging means is a flexible member and extends along one side of said carriage member and said support means includes a laterally extending support member extending from at least some of the connector members on that side of the carriage.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the driven engaging means comprises a drive chain and the drive means includes a fixed reversible drive means including a motor driven sprocket disposed for engagement with the drive chain for driving said carriage back and forth along said track.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the drive means includes a fixed drive stand, means connecting said stand to the track, and a support post for said stand, said support stand extending to one side of the track and mounting a motive means drivingly connected to a sprocket disposed for engagement with said drive chain.
 18. A feeder apparatus or the like of the type comprising: carriage means adapted to be mounted on and movable along a fixed track, said carriage means having a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel longitudinal extended side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, endless conveyor means mounted on the carriage means and movable thereon, said conveyor means extended between the ends of the tray means with one expanse of the conveyor means located over the tray means and the other expanse extended thereunder, power means fixed relative to said track for moving the carriage means back and forth on the track, fixed mounting means for the power means, means connecting the power means to the carriage means whereby operation of the power means applies a force to the carriage means to propel it along the track, and means fixedly connecting one portion of the endless conveyor means to said fixed mounting means whereby movement of the carriage means causes relative movement between the carriage means and conveyor means, the forces exerted on said fixed support means by the carriage means and by the conveyor means being in opposite directions and at least partially counteracting.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the conveyor comprises an endless flexible means movable about spaced roller means on the carriage, said fixed mounting means and the fixed portion of the conveyor means are disposed substantially at the longitudinal center of the track, and the carriage means moves back and forth on opposite sides of the fixed mounting means.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means connecting the power means to the carriage means includes a drive sprocket cooperable with a drive chain fixedly mounted on the carriage means and extending longitudinally thereof, the conveyor means comprises an endless means extending over spaced roller means mounted substantially at opposite ends of the carriage means, the carriage means moving within the endless conveyor means to cause relative movement therebetween, and the forces exerted on the fixed support means by the action between the drive sprocket and drive chain being in an opposite direction from the force exerted thereon by the fixed portion of the endless conveyor means.
 21. Apparatus for handling livestock feed or the like comprising: a plurality of longitudinal sections, each section having a pair of spaced, generally parallel, longitudinally extended side members, means rigidly connecting said side members, tray means located between and releasably attached to said side members, connector members secured to adjacent portions of end-to-end side members to hold the longitudinal sections in general alignment, means attached to said connector members to rotatably mount the sections on a track, and endless conveyor means extended between the ends of the tray means with one expanse of the conveyor means located over the tray means and the other expanse extended thereundeR, means fixing said conveyor to one point thereon with respect to said track means, and drive means operably connected to said carriage and operable to drive said carriage back and forth along said track means.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: said drive means is fixed with respect to said track means.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: the drive means includes fixed reversing means having an operating member and said carriage has means thereon cooperating with said operating member to operate said operating member to reverse the drive means upon carriage means moving to predetermined positions on said track means. 